Information Overload = OVERWHELM

These days, we are inundated with information. From infomercials on TV, advertisements on the radio, influencers on social media, bloggers promoting their affiliate products, articles, websites… no wonder that we get overwhelmed! 

Nontoxic Living

If you’re looking to switch to a nontoxic lifestyle, then you’ve probably already learned a little about the toxins that are all around us and the effects they have on our health.

As a reminder, stress can be toxic to our health too! I have the gray hairs to prove it…

I’ve been there. 

I know what it’s like to be searching for information, for products, for people to steer me in the right direction but only finding contradictions and endless choices leaving me more confused and overwhelmed than when I started. 😓

So, as a mother who has embarked on this journey to a nontoxic lifestyle over the years with many sleepless nights and lots of researching, I’m here to tell you there’s an easier way! 

Reducing the Overwhelm

The steps below are helpful when attempting to switch to nontoxic products:

1. Identify your goals: what do you want your health to look like?
   1. Find your WHY
      1. Specific health reasons
         1. Ex. Food allergies and hyperactivity re: food additives
         2. Fertility and EDCs (endocrine disruptors chemicals: toxic chemicals that mess with your hormones)
      2. Overall health & prevention
         1. Invest in your health now so you don’t have to pay for it later (sickness). 
2. Assess current status/take inventory. 
   1. What do you use daily?
      1. Daily in the kitchen and in the bathroom
   2. Identify nonnegotiables
      1. Is there anything you can’t live without? Save them for last to swap or save for special occasions, etc (remember 80/20)
         Some people: “You can pry my mascara from my cold dead hands.”
3. Create a plan.
   1.  When this runs out, I’ll replace it with. . .
      1. Research some good nontoxic swaps you’d like to try
      2. ONE AT A TIME
         1. Unless there’s a good sale and you wanna try a few 😉 
4. Values
   1. What’s important to you? *This step may come later in the journey. 
      1. Women owned, small businesses, vegan, plastic free, carbon negative, etc
5. Principles of nontoxic living
   1. 80/20 – it’s our daily habits that make the most impact. 
      1. A good rule of thumb is to live a nontoxic lifestyle 80% of the time. Meaning, the other 20% is everything we can’t control, enjoying special occasions with family & friends, not being hardcore rulemaker, etc. It’s realistic – aim for progress, not perfection. 
   2. Enjoy the JOURNEY
      1. Don’t miss out on life’s experiences because you’re too worried about toxins lurking around every corner. Nontoxic living is not just about swapping products, it’s a mindset and it can’t be rushed or forced. 
   3. Give yourself Grace
      1. No mom shaming! No guilt! 
         1. You don’t know what you don’t know.
         2. You took the initiative to change. CONGRATS!🥳
            1. All in due time. 
   4. Find Connection & Support
      1. Nontoxic Mom groups on Facebook! Farmers markets, health food stores, azure standard drop offs, etc. 

Hopefully, some of this resonated with you – take what you need, leave what you don’t.

You’re doing great, momma 💕